The annual Northeast Ohio Parent Choice Awards seeks to gather the opinions of local parents on everything family-friendly in the region. Our readers and online followers voted for their favorite businesses, attractions, family services and more.
Here are the winner and finalists in the “best town to raise a family” category.
Click here to view winners and finalists in all 30 categories.
Winner: Shaker Heights
Just eight miles from downtown Cleveland, Shaker Heights is known for its high-quality schools, walkable neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and vibrant commercial districts, including the popular Van Aken District. This vibrant urban hub, located in Downtown Shaker Heights, offers the best mix of retail, restaurants, and entertainment – all in support of the local economy. Known for its extravagant houses, Nature Center, and bike trails, Shaker Heights is equipped with everything you need to raise a family.
shakeronline.com
Finalists:
Cleveland
Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland is the second-largest city in Ohio. Downtown Cleveland features an array of activities to choose from – watch the Cleveland Guardians play at Progressive Field, listen to live music at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, or get immersed in live theater at Playhouse Square, the largest performing arts center in the U.S. outside of New York City. Cleveland is home to the iconic Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which documents the history of rock music and inducts new members every year.
clevelandohio.gov
Lakewood
The third-largest city in Cuyahoga County, Lakewood was established in 1889 and named for its lakefront location. Lakewood Park is one of the largest lakefront parks in Ohio and features a live concert stage, outdoor swimming pool, picnic pavilions, four-season public pavilion, kids’ playground, baseball, volleyball, and a skate park. The Lakewood Civic Auditorium, a 2,000-seat performing arts venue located on the campus of Lakewood High School, features the world’s largest free-standing ceramic sculpture, Early Settler, created by American industrial designer Viktor Schreckengost.
lakewoodoh.gov